As always, Emma Lord’s cast of characters are so so real. I want to be friends with all of them. Lord makes New York feel like its own person in this one, and effortlessly paints a picture of friendship and growing up.

I loved Tweet Cute by Emma Lord but have struggled with her releases since. The plot of the Getaway List sounded so fun and I love best friends to lovers. However, the book just wasn't for me. It felt a little too forced and unnatural. I could see it being a fun read for a young adult but I wasn't fully sold!

Emma Lord does it again with her signature wit, charm, and heart. You will fall in love as this group of misfits band together to discover themselves in one of the best places for it - New York City.

This book gave me Dawson and Joey vibes. I enjoyed the friendship but just couldn’t connect with the romance that should have been there.

It is a great read and easily to read over a summer day but I was hoping for Joey and Pacey vibes which I just didn’t find.

Read it for the journey and the friendship.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

I adored Emma Lord’s novel Tweet Cute and was so excited to be able to read her newest book early through NetGalley. This book begin’s with our main character graduating from high school and getting rejected from all 10 of the colleges she applied for. She feels lost about the future and goes to New York for a weekend to spend time with her best friend Tom who moved away years ago and hopes to complete some items on The Getaway List (a list of things they wanted to do together over the years but didn’t get the chance)! When she gets there, she realizes Tom might not be as happy as she thought and ends up choosing to stay for the summer to complete the list together with some friends.

I love a good coming-of-age story and getting to see the characters’ journey of self growth and discovering what is important to them. Emma Lord does such a fantastic job of this! The side characters were also well developed, which is sometimes hard to find! I love stories set in New York and really felt the “Welcome to New York” vibes reading this one!! ❤️

If you’re looking for a sweet novel featuring friendship, self discovery, and light romance, you should pick this one up. If you have loved her other novels, I have no doubt you’re going to enjoy this one as well!

It is no secret that I love Emma Lord’s books. I was so excited when I got the email with the ARC to her next book, The Getaway List. I had to drop every other book on my list in order to start reading it immediately. It did not disappoint. The Getaway List is full of Emma Lord’s signature charm and Taylor Swift references.

I love the way Lord’s books center familial and friend relationships just as much as romantic relationships. Riley finds a group of friends during her summer in New York including Luca, whose parents own a viral brownie bakery, and Mariella, a budding app developer. Lord makes them feel like real people with full lives outside of the scope of the story.

Parent and child relationships also feature prominently in Lord’s work, and The Getaway List is no exception. Both Tom and Riley harbor a lot of resentment against their mothers at the beginning of the novel. They manage to help each other work towards healing these relationships in a beautiful way.

Similarly, Tom and Riley have to address some old wounds in their friendship. At the beginning of the book, Riley laments that she and Tom used to be so close, but that he barely texts her anymore. They are able to address these issues and work through them together. Lord has a knack for making her readers laugh while feeling all the feelings.

Lord has a descriptive style that is distinctively her. It is funny and incredibley vivid at the same time. Riley describes summer in NYC, “Summer in New York makes me feel jealous of fried eggs, because at least at some point they get taken off the pan.” As someone reading this line in the summer in the New York City area, I cackled reading this line, and then read it out loud to my husband. Lord so perfectly captures the specific experience of a humid day in the city.

Lord is a well-documented Swiftie, and the way she references Taylor Swift and her music in this book brings me such joy. Jesse, Riley’s ex-boyfriend, has a Taylor Swift tattoo, and Lord even describes “his punk-rock cover of ‘Cardigan.'” I love that Lord brings whimsy and humor into her pop culture references.

As someone who used to live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the little easter eggs about the UWS made me smile. Lord references a Housing Works on Columbus Avenue and 74th Street, and I used to live around the corner from that thrift store. The book also references the branch of the Strand Bookstore on 82nd and Columbus, and I go there all the time. It made me feel lIke I was in my old neighborhood.

I already cannot wait to read Lord’s next novel. In the meantime, I’ll just have to reread all of her other books while I wait for the next one. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Getaway List when it is released in January.

Emma Lord has never disappointed me. Her latest, The Getaway List, is another winner. Friendship, a bit of romance, and a little mystery, all add up to a fun summer where the characters learn not only about those around them but most importantly themselves. Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook to read and review.

I was so happy to receive this book by this particular author before its release! Riley is graduating from high school and realizes she has no idea who she really is or what she wants, because she spent so much time being on the straight and narrow for her mother. So she takes off for the summer to New York, to connect with her best friend Tom and check some items off of The Getaway List (their own compiled list of adventurous things to do together, which they've been adding to since he moved away years ago). But since it has been years since Riley and Tom have actually seen each other in person, she doesn't know what to expect - and doesn't anticipate the direction things go, either. This was another fun read from this author, full of YA fun, romance, and joy - a perfect combo for this friends to more story, and, once again, expertly crafted by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good story for starting to figure out who you are and how to be true to yourself. This book seemed a little deeper than other books by the author. It has a lot of language in it as well. I enjoy this authors books and would recommend it.

I was excited to receive a complimentary copy of “The Getaway List” by Emma Lord from Netgalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Possible spoilers.

I enjoyed the premise of this novel. It was a fun coming of age story with a great friendship group. I liked how Riley and Jesse had stayed friendly after dating and how their group of friends was kind of nerdy and liked books. Not gonna lie, I kind of want to read Tides of Time now. One thing I did not like was how Riley’s mom kept her and Tom apart. I didn’t feel like any of the things described as getting into trouble really justified this and it made me sad that she couldn’t see how much Riley missed him. Also, I felt sad for Tom and how he was basically abandoned in the city. He was still pretty young when his mom did this, and she seemed pretty selfish.

Overall, this was a light read that brought me back to my younger days and just made me feel good. I enjoyed it.

The Getaway List
By Emery Lord
January 23, 2024

The Getaway List is the story about Riley who is unsure of what she wants to do with her life. She has made a ‘Getaway List’, a list of all the things that she has been wanting to do with her best friend Tom ever since he has moved away. First move to New York for the summer to find herself and figure out what she wants for the future.

This book was a sweet YA romance with all the swoon from the endearing friendship turned romance and wonder of the journey. It kept me wanting to keep coming back for more.


Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the e-copy for my honest opinions.

When Riley doesn't get into any of the colleges she applied to she decides that after graduations she decides that while she figures out what she wants to do, she will go to New York to reconnect with her friend Tom and together they will complete The Getaway List, a list of adventures they compiled when they were younger. During this time Riley comes to learn what she wants and how to follow her heart.

I've enjoyed previous book by Emma Lord and was looking forward to her latest release, while I enjoyed some parts, there were times the book dragged for me. I liked seeing Riley spending time with Tom in New York and seeing her make new friends who also wanted to join in on this list of adventures. While I enjoyed hearing about Riley and her time in New York, there were times the plot felt scattered, which made it hard for me to hold my interest.

This was a quick, light read for me that was an overall, okay read.

The Getaway List is such a fun escapist narrative! Emma Lord really nails the coming-of-age plot in most of her books, but this one particularly felt like a lighthearted journey of self-discovery. I loved the friendship/belonging arc through the whole story. (Mariella and Luca, are you kidding? Such fun supporting characters.) The romance was sweet, but the importance of friendship was the star for me in this book. I loved the best friends to something more trope. I thought Emma Lord treated that perfectly.

It was very creatively constructed, which required a few moments of suspending disbelief...I mean, I know high school seniors and the characters in this story were much more equipped to manage some of the "adulting" than most 18 year olds in real life. However, that doesn't necessarily turn me off to the story, just an observation.

Another win for Emma Lord in the YA romance genre!

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

While I enjoyed this book, I do not think it was for me. And my age is definitely showing. The Getaway List tackles an newly graduate 18 year old leaving home and traveling across state lines to meet back up with her best friend. I’m the mom in this situation and can too easily relate to Riley’s mom. For the right audience, I think this book would be amazing. As a mom with an almost 18 year old, it wasn’t me. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just ok for me. Definitely YA (which I love!), but it leaned a bit on the younger/more immature side for me. It was well written, but the emotions fell flat…the banter didn’t sizzle and the romantic angst wasn’t developed. It was more of a more letter to NYC than anything else.

This is YA at its best. I loved the growth Riley experiences when going to New York - all these new experiences and people and figuring out who she wants to be. I also loved the group of friends they created and how they supported one another.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Getaway List is a love letter to being 18, New York, summer, and finding yourself in a way that is gentle and warm where it could be harsh and jaded. There are multiple cute friends to lovers stories within the book, and I love that the kids really felt like they were 18 freshly in the city. Gorging themselves on sour patch kids and going to concerts but drinking milkshakes, that type of explore that happens when you’re freshly on your own but still very much a teenager. It’s a book I would have enjoyed as a teen and really had fun with now. It covers figuring love, relationships with parents, and loneliness while letting the reader off the hook when things could get too heavy. A great summer reader.

If, like me, you devour each of Emma Lord's resonating, exquisitely sweet, and perfectly developed YA books, and if you're also one of the most ardent fans of the Big Apple (again, just like me), then this book is calling your name. You simply must secure your own copy, dive in without knowing too much, and prepare to be swept away by the exhilarating and heartwarming adventures of Tomley (Riley & Tom: undeniably the sweetest couple the author has crafted).

The narrative unfolds with the backdrop of Riley's graduation ceremony, a bittersweet occasion for her. As she watches most of her friends depart their town for college, armed with the prospect of reinventing themselves, Riley can't shake off her melancholy. Compounding her woes, a slew of college rejections leaves her disheartened. To add to her emotional turmoil, her best friend Tom, who means the world to her, has recently relocated to Manhattan due to her mother's professional commitments. (Kudos to the author for avoiding the cliché route of the mother moving to LaLa Land, allowing for a more engaging plot that flourishes in the bustling streets of New York.)

Tom reveals an unexpected twist: instead of following her initial plan to enroll at Columbia, she's opting for a gap year. Seeing an opportunity to extend her own timeline, Riley decides to embark on their special "Getaway List" that she and Tom had meticulously crafted. She's determined to rediscover her inner adventurer, although she wrestles with uncertainties about Tom's level of enthusiasm. Yet, her journey isn't solely about bringing Tom on board to complete the list; it also entails forging bonds with Tom's new circle of friends who rally around her, offering unwavering support every step of the way.

Amidst her quest for new experiences, Riley finds her feelings for Tom evolving in unexpected ways, threatening the equilibrium of their longstanding friendship. Is she prepared to take the plunge and risk her heart by falling for her best friend? Through her personal growth, Riley recognizes that happiness demands risk-taking, a realization that propels her toward embracing new opportunities rather than dwelling in the shadow of regret.

This illuminating and heartwarming coming-of-age narrative is a celebration of self-discovery, the pursuit of new horizons, and the transformative journey from friends to lovers. The supporting characters, particularly Mariella and Luca, shine brilliantly as scene-stealers. Emma Lord once again showcases her prowess in crafting inspiring, joyful, and promising YA romance novels, populated by endearing characters who resonate with readers on a profound level.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for graciously sharing a digital review copy of this enchanting book with me, in exchange for my candid thoughts.

I've read and enjoyed every one of Emma Lord's books, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Getaway List—and I absolutely loved it! On the day of her high school graduation, Riley Larson realizes that she's been so busy trying to be perfect for her mom that she has no idea who she is and what she wants. So, what's a girl to do but pack her bags and head to New York for a life-changing summer? Once she arrives in the city, Riley and her childhood best friend, Tom, decide to revisit the "Getaway List" they made, packed with adventures they've wanted to do together since he moved away. With the help of some new friends, can the duo pick up where they left off, complete the list, and make this a summer they'll never forget?

The Getaway List contains all the ingredients of a classic Emma Lord YA novel—swoon-worthy romance, mouth-watering treats (seriously, you might not want to read this book hungry), likable, vibrant characters, and tons of pop culture references to look out for (especially Taylor Swift ones—think "Welcome to New York" meets "You're on Your Own, Kid"). The romance between Riley and Tom was so sweet to read about, but I especially loved the whole friend group dynamic, the complexity of Riley's relationship with her mom, and following Riley's journey to finding herself. I also really enjoyed how NYC felt like its own character—the book is truly a love letter to the city, and it was so much fun to see it through Riley's eyes. Emma Lord is definitely an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to see what she has in store next! And of course, I'd highly recommend The Getaway List. Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the ARC!

a love letter to new york city. i loved it. riley goes to new york city for a weekend to spend time with her best friend, tom, to complete their getaway list they had written together, but she ends up spending the entire summer falling in love with the city. the two of them were really cute, and i loved all of their friends as well.